DSA Australia Participant Feed Back

1st Dec o7

Hi

We would like to thank all the members of the South Coast branch of the DSA for the fantastic day at Thirroul last Saturday....and in particular, Ian Picton.

It was the first time my son Matthew has attended a DSA event and he had a terrific time. I must say that I have NEVER seen so many happy smiling faces.... it was truly inspirational.

The enthusiasm, patience and understanding of all the helpers was fantastic. I think they enjoyed the experience as much as the participants.

Ian Picton and his team did a terrific job; it was well organised, ran pretty much to time, new helpers were well briefed and the equipment used was ready to go.

Once again, thank you.

Kind regards
McMaugh's
(Parents)

Thankyou to Volunteers

Sydney Branch Hands on Day

Collaroy Beach 24th February

Hi Gary and Graeme,

i would just like to express my huge thanks to you and all the volunteers. just bare with me , i am not so good at expressing myself or my thoughts in written words : )
it was my first time attending and i was extremely overwhelmed at just how many people were there and to see so many volunteers. i was almost in tears. i am having an extremely hard time at the moment and to see so many people who are willing to give up their time and help is just so wonderful and it gives me hope , again.
i never thought that i would be able to get into the surf ever again, and on sat i just felt so alive and actually managed to forget all my worries and troubles and feel "normal "again even for one day.

no staring or pointing, or feeling self conscious. no whispering behind my back. no need for explainations or feeling out of place.
i felt like me again, and i havent felt so comfortable in well over a decade now. i dont think that i have smiled so much in ages. my jaw and cheek muscles were actually sore at the end of the day, it was wonderful !!!! i dont think that words can explain what i am feeling nor what i wish to express to you all but thank you. thank you so much. i now cant wait to get out again. my partner is taking me to buy my very own wet suite and we r looking at going to the next one up at the central coast. i am so excited. if there is any way possible to let the volunteers know just how much they are appreciated it would be great. i managed to thank as many of them as possible but there was just too many of them hahahaha : )
well i better go before i keep babaling on ...........
once again thank you, thank you so much

Marie

Dear Gary and Graeme,

Hope you have a really awesome time with your beautiful friends & vollies!

Thank you for the great memories in Australia.
I am writing that I want to say to you "Thank you so much."

Did you remember me? If not, no problem!
I remembered you so much.
(I am one of Japanese girls took part in the DSA in Collaroy on 24th Feb.)

You gave me a lot of beautiful memories & enthusiasm & courage!
Thank you so much!

I was very shy to do everything, felt insecure to meet new people all the time.
On that day, everyone spoke to me friendly & helped me to spend a good time together.
There was very few things I could do there, but I have enjoyed that day the most I have ever had.

I was so impressed.
Many people from very different background were laughing with each other.
There was no difference among people.
They were all brilliant! It was great!

As I got to Japan, I told about that special day to my all family & friends.
I was very proud of myself to be there...haha!

I wish I could join the DSA again in Australia or Japan!
Thank you so very so much!

Best regards,
Aiko

What the Disabled Surfers Association

means to our Family.

NOTE: Click on Sarah's Pictures to Enlarge & Double Click to Reduce

            Late last year we received an invitation to bring our then 7 year old daughter Sarah (a below knee amputee) to a DSA ‘hands on’ day at Thirroul Beach . Initially we were somewhat apprehensive about the idea of Sarah attempting to surf but following a conversation with a DSA member we were assured that there was nothing to worry about so we decided to give it a go.

            It was one of the best decisions we made not just for Sarah but for all our family. On that day we were immediately accepted into the DSA family. Initially Sarah was lacking water confidence but within a few events thanks to the dedicated volunteers Sarah stood up on a surfboard a rode a wave all the way to the beach. As you can imagine that was a day none of us will ever forget. Since that special day in April, Sarah has been to Ireland to visit her grandparents where she showed them her surfing abilities spending a week surfing on Ireland ’s west coast.

            Not only has the DSA improved Sarah’s water confidence her confidence in public speaking has improved. She now likes nothing better than grabbing a microphone and standing up in front of her fellow students and discussing her surfing experiences. We are so grateful for what the DSA has done for our family and in particular Sarah. The committee and all the volunteers have changed a girl who was scared of the surf to riding a surfboard in the space of 5 months. The DSA family is dedicated to helping all disabled people without any hesitation. The severity of the disability does not deter the DSA from helping. Their help support and encouragement to people with a disability is second to none.

            When Sarah was asked what the DSA meant to her, she replied that she “enjoyed meeting other people with disabilities and having fun in the surf with them”.

Thanks to the DSA Sarah has been introduced to a sport that many able bodied people can only dream of.

Walsh Family.

Sarah is growing up quickly!!!

AttitudeTV visits Sarah

Click here

The "Sticks" Story

Hi my name is Les Cox but you can call me Sticks. I'd like to share a little of my story with you to let you know how surfing has changed my life.

When I was born due to a lack of Oxygen at birth I have Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy affects the messages from the brain to different parts of the body. In my case it affected my legs and general movement along with my eyesight. So I couldn't walk for the first eight years of my life. After a series of operations and rehabilitation I can now get around on crutches (or sticks) I'm a bit wobbly but at least I can get around.

Just because people have disabilities doesn't mean they can't do things that able bodied people do, we just do it a little slower. Some disabilities are more physically noticeable than others and just as able bodied people are different, so are the disabled, though basically people are all the same and I feel that we should all be treated that way.

I read an article in our local paper the Manly Daily about the Disabled Surfers Association back about 18 years ago. They were talking about a 'Hands On Day' at Collaroy Beach where disabled people could go surfing with some help from their group. Now bearing in mind that I have never been surfing before I thought I would have a go at it and I loved it!! I was absolutely packing death (I could use another word there but I won't)

I've been part of the DSA ever since and I can say it has been the best thing I have ever done. I have never let my disabilities stop me do anything. The DSA has opened so many doors for me and given me many opportunities to meet people, to travel, to help organize the events and to basically to reach my full potential. Oh.. and I love surfing!! I love life and I won't let anything stop me. Of all the organisations I've been with this is easily the best for me to help me achieve my goals in life.

I've met some surfing legends like 1989 world surfing Champion Barton Lynch, who's a great supporter & friend of the DSA, who took me down to the Bondi Tsunami Aussie & Japanese Beach Festival at Bondi Beach. I had a ball and met up with some great people from Bondi and ended up as a guest DJ on the Tsunami Surf Show with Smithy & Barney on Bondi FM 88.

I was also an extra in the Bondi Tsunami Movie, the first Japanese surfing road movie made in Australia. I was in a bar scene with Barton Lynch which was a great experience for me.

By getting out and having fun and being in the right place at the right time I'm striving to reach my full potential. I know it's a life long process. My biggest goal in life is to just be me, and be accepted as me, and help others to do the same.

See you in the water

Les Cox (Sticks)

DSA Gold Coast Queensland gave me the most wonderful and never to be forgotten experience on Saturday 29th March 2008. I thought I would never ever feel the surf again, having an accident in 2004 which resulted in me becoming a Quadriplegic. The DSA helpers and volunteers were out of this world, fantastic and wonderful. No actual word is available to describe what they do for us. I can't wait for my next time.

Currumbin 29/03/08- will be a day my mum will never forget ...thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to everyone involved with DSA. To see mum yahooing on a surfboard will certainly be something i will also remember with a smile on my face. What you guys do for others cant be thanked enough.

Sunshine Coast 08/04/08-Thanks guys for yet another fantastic day of surfing on Saturday !!Needless to say Lucy had her usual wonderful time and Maddy, as a volunteer, says " Mum I had the best time " - it is so great to see her wanting to be so involved as well, not just with her sister but all the participants. She was bubbling over with enthusiasm about who she had helped and how great it was.It is lovely for us to feel such a part of the group and to be so welcomed when we arrive as well as renewing friendships and making new friends.
Wasn't Elsa amazing ? She was so stoked to have a go and nearly fell off her scooter when she won Surfer of the Day !! Please put Lucy's name down for the two events at the end of the year and pass on our thanks to the team leaders and marshals etc who all did an amazing job.
Who knows - we might get Lucy standing up one day!!

Coffs Harbour, thank you for a wonderful day today. we had a great time. our son is 7 yrs old and has cerebral palsy. he was so excited and enjoyed it so much, and his little brother got to have a go too, which we really appreciated. the helpers were fantastic and very kind . thank you. looking forward to next time.